Move to ensure peaceful civic polls sans central force: SEC

The West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) today affirmed it could have been much easier to instill confidence among the voters had the forces been deployed.
This statement comes in the background of the Centre turning down West Bengal's plea for central forces for the upcoming civic elections.
"I still believe had there been central forces, it could have been much easier for us to instil confidence among the voters and ensure the upcoming civic polls were peaceful," State Election Commissioner S R Upadhyay said at the "Meet-the-Press", organised by Press Club here.
Upadhyay, however, asserted he was trying to ensure peaceful poll with the available state force and infrastructure.

"A meeting would be held tomorrow with all state agencies involved in this polling process," he said.
To a question, Upadhyay said "There is a precedence of deploying central force during panchayat elections in 2010 and 2013. But I don't know if there is any such precedence regarding deployment of central force in municipal or panchayat elections in any other state."

To a question as to why then the demand for central force came from West Bengal every time or whether the state lacked conducive atmosphere for a peaceful election, Upadhyay skirted a direct reply.
"Difficult question. Law and Order needs to be judged on the basis of a number of parameters," he added.

Upadhyay, however, admitted that "There are loopholes in section 8 of the West Bengal State Election Commission Act 1994 and section 36(3) of the West Bengal Municipal Election Commission Act 1994.
"These sections should be amended to make the WBSEC stronger for independent action like the Election Commission of India (ECI)," he pointed out.
Justifying the need for necessary amendment in the existing Act, Upadhyay said "Because of these sections at present, the WBSEC could not declare the election dates independently.
"Also the power given to the ECI as per Representation of People's Act 1951 has not been given to the WBSEC for its control over the election personnel and machinery during the polling process," Upadhyay added.